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Friends of the Cabildo haunt New Orleans with ghostly costume party and Quarter tours

cabildo

The Cabildo in Jackson Square. This was the site of the transfer of the Louisiana Purchase and later home to the Louisiana Supreme Court. In 1911 it became the Louisiana State Museum, along with the Presbytere. The Friends of the Cabildo will stage a benefit costume party (Oct. 25) and a weekend of ghost-themed historic tours of French Quarter courtyards (Oct. 26 and 27).
(The Times-Picayune |NOLA.com archive)

New Orleans has been a legendary party town since Bienville set up here in 1718, so it’s natural that our founder and his wife should reappear at the Cabildo in 2012, getting down at one of the city’s best Halloween costume parties. The Bienvilles were in good company: Guests at this past year’s edition of the Ghostly Galavant Costume Party included a host of famous dead, from Napoleon Bonaparte to former Louisiana Gov. Earl Long.

Organizers expect a similar turnout when the annual benefit party returns to the Cabildo on Friday (Oct. 25). In fact, some of the party guests will stay in costume all weekend, participating in historic ghost tours of French Quarter courtyards.

Both the ghost tours and the party are staged by Friends of the Cabildo – a support group for the Louisiana State Museum.

“Our party draws history buffs and museum supporters from the community – and a big group of travelers who have made the event a Halloween destination,” said Kaydee Nenninger, membership director for Friends of the Cabildo. “The setting is a big attraction, too: how many costume parties take place in a historic landmark with sweeping views of Jackson Square?”

Gore, fangs and hockey masks generally take a back seat at the Galavant, but the party isn’t a scholarly waxworks, either. Guest can wander the elegant 18th-century building and peruse the museum’s collection of historic materials, but most of the action centers on the long, window-lined gallery that fronts Jackson Square. That’s where DJs stir up a dance crowd; tarot card readers ply their trade; and the aroma of fine food and drinks waft amid the crowd.

A dozen food and drink vendors will dish up party essentials at the Ghostly Galavant. Look for chefs and bartenders from Dickie Brennan’s Tableau, Gumbo Shop, Kingfish, La Divina Cafe and Gelateria, Pat O’Brien’s, Pirate’s Alley Cafe, Redemption Orleans, and other providers.

Not ready for a costume party? Friends of the Cabildo will keep the fun going with guided weekend tours of the French Quarter that provide access to private courtyards -- and a chance to meet a few more celebrity ghosts.

“The tours really give you a sense of what its like to live in the Quarter today,” Nenninger said. “You walk from the bustle of the streets, to these amazing secret gardens hidden away from public. It’s a nice experience, even if you’re not crazy about history. You’ll want to move in to most of these places.”

The walking tours, led by Cabildo guides, go to seven courtyards – and at each stop a different historic ghost awaits.

“Most of our ghosts are tour guides or history buffs, and they work for months to get ready for this weekend,” Nenninger said. “They write their own scripts and make their own costumes – and it’s pretty obvious that they are having fun. It’s a really perfect event for the French Quarter, where history and fun are always part of the same mix.”

Ghostly Galavant Weekend

Eat, Drink and Be Scary Costume Party, Friday (Oct. 25), 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Cabildo on Jackson Square. Tickets are $35 in advance ($45 on the day of the event) and include beer and wine for the night. Go to the Friends of the Cabildo website for details and to purchase.

Ghostly Galavant Tours, Oct. 26 and 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours leave on the hour from the 1850 House Museum Store, 523 St. Ann St. Tickets are $20, $10 for students under 18. Advance tickets are available at the Friends of the Cabildo website. The 1850 House sells tickets during the event. No reservations are required.